History of the Commission

The International Commission for Plant-Pollinator Relationships (ICPPR) was founded in 1950 by Anna Maurizio (Switzerland) during a Botanical Congress in Stockholm. It was originally established as the International Commission for Bee Botany (ICBB).

In 1985, the Commission was re-established under the name International Commission for Plant-Bee Relationships (ICPBR). In 2011, its name was changed to the International Commission for Plant-Pollinator Relationships (ICPPR) to better reflect its broader scientific objectives.

Objectives

According to its Statutes, the ICPPR pursues three main objectives:

1. Promote and coordinate scientific research

The Commission promotes and coordinates research on the relationships between plants and pollinators, particularly bees. Its areas of interest include:

• Insect-pollinated plants and their interactions with pollinators
• Bee foraging behaviour and the effects of pollinator visits on plants
• The management and protection of insect pollinators
• Plant materials collected by bees, such as nectar and pollen
• Plant-derived products that are modified by bees

2. Facilitate scientific exchange

The ICPPR organises meetings, colloquia and symposia on topics related to plant–pollinator relationships. It also publishes and distributes the proceedings of these scientific events.

3. Strengthen international collaboration

The Commission collaborates closely with national and international institutions working on plant–pollinator relationships. Particular emphasis is placed on organisations that seek to advance scientific knowledge of plant and animal ecology and promote the protection of fauna.